ONCE A SYMBOL of perseverance in the face of the most incredible odds, Lance Armstrong now seems destined to go down in history as one of the most brazen dope cheats that sport has ever seen.
After sensationally conceding defeat in his fight to contest the charges against him in August, the Texan’s world caved in further on Monday when the International Cycling Union (UCI) erased him from the sport’s history.
The US Anti-Doping Agency had already published a damning report that laid bare his guilt. Armstrong, they claimed, was at the heart of “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”.
“He was not just a part of the doping culture on his team,” said the USADA. “He enforced and re-enforced it.”
The decision to cast aside one of cycling’s most successful exponents leaves Armstrong’s sporting legacy in tatters but for all his detractors, there have been just as many admirers.
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For his supporters, the doping allegations pale into comparison beside his battle with life-threatening cancer and the work of his charitable foundation, which he founded to help others living with the disease. Doctors had given Armstrong a less than 50% chance of survival when he was diagnosed in 1996 with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain.
He persevered through surgery and chemotherapy and returned to cycling but was little known in his homeland when he won his first Tour de France title in 1999. His years of dominance in the sport’s greatest race raised cycling’s profile in the United States to new heights and gave him a platform to promote cancer awareness and research.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised almost $500 million (€340 million) since it was created in 1997. But in the aftermath of the allegations, several top sponsors dropped Armstrong and he even quit as chairman of Livestrong.
Even in his glory days of cycling, many were sceptical of his powers.
In 1999, it was a trace amount of a banned corticosteroid, which cycling officials explained by saying he was authorised to use a small amount of cream containing the drug to treat saddle sores.
After his 2000 Tour triumph, French authorities probed his US Postal Service team but brought no charges.
Critics seized on his friendship with Italian doctor Michele Ferrari, who was banned by Italian authorities over doping in 2002.
U.S. Lance Armstrong signs the starting list prior to the second stage of the Giro d’Italia (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
In 2004, a Texas promotions company balked at paying him a $5 million bonus for his sixth tour title because of doping allegations by European media.
In that court case, former team-mate Frankie Andreu and his wife, Betsy, testified that Armstrong told doctors during his cancer treatment that he had taken steroids and other performance-enhancers.
Two books published in Europe, “L.A. Confidential” and “L.A. Official”, alleged he doped and in 2005, French newspaper L’Equipe reported that urine samples taken during the 1999 Tour that were later re-tested were positive for the blood-booster EPO.
Armstrong fought back with denials and even court action, before briefly launching a comeback in 2009, but in the end the sheer weight of evidence against him — including testimony from 11 former team-mates — proved too much to withstand.
Now lance, your turn to admit your mistakes, apologise and we might think about forgiving you for the lies. If you refuse to accept this it will compound the ill will towards you.
People beat cancer and inspire others all the time. Just because LA did it didn’t give him a right to bully people and disregard basic rules of sport and human decency.
Abi he didn’t raise millions for charity, he raised millions for his pr company and to bribe the UCI and pay off doctors, he is a drug dealer and a very successful and wealthy drug pusher at that
He cheated and forced others around him to cheat in the most base ways possible. He lied, defrauded and destroyed the careers of young cyclists and countless others who had the guts to defy him. He threatened people.
And this is what some of you define as a hero?
Grow up, ffs.
Doping has certainly been an issue in all sports for a lot further back than Armstrong’s career. He wasn’t competing in 1988 was he? That’s when I can remember Ben Johnson getting disqualified for drug use after his Olympic win. I was twelve at the time and you’d have to have buried your head in the sand for decades to think that doping “was never an issue”
There are many who would agree with you Paddy Mac but you have to wonder what damage he has done to other charities where a high profile person sets up some kind of foundation.
Next time a cyclist wants to do anything it’ll be viewed with skepticism by many I’m sure.
Paddy. You understand my point so don’t be trying to twist things to suit yourself. This would be something that. you hero would do. You stated that Lance was a hero of yours based purely on the fact that he raised millions for charity. I merely highlighted to you that a certain Jimmy Savile raised millions for charity also and does this make this vile creature a hero in your eyes also. I never once suggested that Lance ever once interfered with Kids. So you should really add more to your criteria for selecting a legend.
@jim where in my text did I state the word “hero” I’ve been to Specsavers may I suggest you take a trip there also? And what’s your unhealthy obsession with the pedophile Saville? Scary
There was a phrase in cycling for years!
It wasn’t the best cyclist who won, it was the cyclist who had the best doctor. Leads me to believe that they were all at it at that time.
Unfortunately when big money and sponsorship mix with sport, pressures and expectations encourage athletes to take huge risks with their personal well being. Sad!!! It’s the twisted world we live in. Humanity has been lost to money and self importance.
#Jim There is no comparison between LA and Jimmy Saville you moron. LA took drugs, he never physically harmed anyone but did raise hundreds of millions for charity. I’m not condoning what LA did but Saville raped children. There can be absolutely no comparisons made. Yes it is still possible for people to hold a mark of respect for LA for what he’s done in his life, regardless if he’s takin drugs or not
who’d want them,the sport has been destroyed,tainted forever,a real pity,the amount of kids who took up cycling to emulate him now gonna go back to playing video games in front of the telly getting obese
so tell me who takes Lance’s tour de france title/titles now? seemingly in one race the first 8 were all done for drug use?? not that I care but just curious :-)
@Jim Mahon. I do not condone Lance Armstrong for one minute and I have always been a fan until it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that he doped but to compare someone that used performance enhancing drugs to win cycling races with someone that raped children is simply outrages. You have a lot of valid ways to back up your point if you wish without comparing Lance Armstrong with a rapist!
Rampant interview with Conte re Balco Scandal……for those seeking to be informed on drugs in sport….. And not just thinking its a handful of sportsmen….
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Now lance, your turn to admit your mistakes, apologise and we might think about forgiving you for the lies. If you refuse to accept this it will compound the ill will towards you.
Fought cancer, raised millions for charity, inspired others to believe they can overcome the disease. Haters gonna Hate……..
Abi
Even narcissists can achieve moral greatness, it’s just by-product of their deluded self believe.
People beat cancer and inspire others all the time. Just because LA did it didn’t give him a right to bully people and disregard basic rules of sport and human decency.
Ah abi, the chap cheated his way to the top. He made millions marketing himself as a hero.
Abi he didn’t raise millions for charity, he raised millions for his pr company and to bribe the UCI and pay off doctors, he is a drug dealer and a very successful and wealthy drug pusher at that
At least he still had the title of being the first man on the moon
He cheated and forced others around him to cheat in the most base ways possible. He lied, defrauded and destroyed the careers of young cyclists and countless others who had the guts to defy him. He threatened people.
And this is what some of you define as a hero?
Grow up, ffs.
No he did not.Years ago doping was never an issue.
Doping has certainly been an issue in all sports for a lot further back than Armstrong’s career. He wasn’t competing in 1988 was he? That’s when I can remember Ben Johnson getting disqualified for drug use after his Olympic win. I was twelve at the time and you’d have to have buried your head in the sand for decades to think that doping “was never an issue”
Where exactly are you getting your (mis)information, Caroline?
druggie
Ironic with the profile pic!!
;)
Arnie never denied it though.
Do a bit of research on the connections between steroid use and testicular cancer. Quite enlightening.
Yes. The situation that you are subtly implying is highly likely to have happened.
Also, introducing testosterone, which LA also admitted to, can cause testicular cancer.
It won’t be long until he is behind bars.
Hopefully
He’s still a legend, he’s made millions for charity, so he’s a legend in my eyes
Off to specsavers with you.
The strange thing is I actually am
goin to Specsavers at 3:15
so did Jimmy Savile. Is he a legend in your eyes also Paddy ?
I don’t think lance raped children, correct me if I’m wrong??
Bayer pharmaceuticals learned a lot from experimenting on jews during the holocaust, that doesn’t make it right.
There are many who would agree with you Paddy Mac but you have to wonder what damage he has done to other charities where a high profile person sets up some kind of foundation.
Next time a cyclist wants to do anything it’ll be viewed with skepticism by many I’m sure.
@paddy mac…so you are inspired by a by a drug taking bullying cheat…not the type of thing to be boasting about…
Paddy. You understand my point so don’t be trying to twist things to suit yourself. This would be something that. you hero would do. You stated that Lance was a hero of yours based purely on the fact that he raised millions for charity. I merely highlighted to you that a certain Jimmy Savile raised millions for charity also and does this make this vile creature a hero in your eyes also. I never once suggested that Lance ever once interfered with Kids. So you should really add more to your criteria for selecting a legend.
just like jimmy saville so!
@jim where in my text did I state the word “hero” I’ve been to Specsavers may I suggest you take a trip there also? And what’s your unhealthy obsession with the pedophile Saville? Scary
There’s going to have to be a directors cut of Dodgeball now.
Where Vince Vaughan introduces an elaborate blood and epo doing ring in order to win the dodgeball game.
There was a phrase in cycling for years!
It wasn’t the best cyclist who won, it was the cyclist who had the best doctor. Leads me to believe that they were all at it at that time.
Unfortunately when big money and sponsorship mix with sport, pressures and expectations encourage athletes to take huge risks with their personal well being. Sad!!! It’s the twisted world we live in. Humanity has been lost to money and self importance.
Can’t believe people still worship lance. Yea he raised millions ,but on the back off winning 7 tours after cancer, while cheating.
Remains an inspiration to many millions of people around the world.
Also raised $500m for cancer charities.
Remains a legend in my eyes.
Which could only have been facilitated by his lies…
Jason, Jimmy Savile raised millions for charity also. Is he a legend in your eyes also ?
@Jason…think you should have gone to Specsavers with Paddy!
#Jim There is no comparison between LA and Jimmy Saville you moron. LA took drugs, he never physically harmed anyone but did raise hundreds of millions for charity. I’m not condoning what LA did but Saville raped children. There can be absolutely no comparisons made. Yes it is still possible for people to hold a mark of respect for LA for what he’s done in his life, regardless if he’s takin drugs or not
i would imagine he’ not the only one thats done it, he just got caught!
Shame on the conspiracy that destroy careers.
Yes, he was abducted by aliens who wanted to test EPO on him….
who’d want them,the sport has been destroyed,tainted forever,a real pity,the amount of kids who took up cycling to emulate him now gonna go back to playing video games in front of the telly getting obese
so tell me who takes Lance’s tour de france title/titles now? seemingly in one race the first 8 were all done for drug use?? not that I care but just curious :-)
Dope :-)
@Jim Mahon. I do not condone Lance Armstrong for one minute and I have always been a fan until it was proved beyond reasonable doubt that he doped but to compare someone that used performance enhancing drugs to win cycling races with someone that raped children is simply outrages. You have a lot of valid ways to back up your point if you wish without comparing Lance Armstrong with a rapist!
*Outrageous
http://ec.libsyn.com/p/0/f/8/0f8cf668211baea0/p277.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01cd8730d0c1556483
Rampant interview with Conte re Balco Scandal……for those seeking to be informed on drugs in sport….. And not just thinking its a handful of sportsmen….
Speeches, Movie appearances, Tv spots, autobiographies…he’s the most brazen cheat there ever was.